I·da·ho
 Idaho
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- pronunciation:
- aI
d
ho
- features:
- Word History
| part of speech: |
noun |
| definition: |
a state in the northwestern United States. Its capital is Boise. (abbreviated: ID)
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| derivations: |
Idahoan (adj.), Idahoan (n.) |
The name
Idaho was invented in 1860 by George Willing, a spokesman for western mining companies. He suggested "Idaho" as a name for what became Colorado because it sounded like an Indian word and Indian place names were popular then. He said Idaho meant "gem of the mountains." Congress rejected "Idaho" as a name for the Colorado Territory, but approved it for the Idaho Territory in 1863.